An Idea For a Mod - Can It Be Done?

[4Play]

Ok guys and gals... I am in need of lots of help.

I found my Ecozilla the other day which was completly dead. After several hours, it is finally up and running like a champ. I have always liked this model, but I am more of an auto fan than quartz. Thus is the reason for this thread.

I would like to do a subtle mod and exchange the quartz for an automatic movement. I would love to use an 8215 miyota movement to keep it in the same family, similar to having a 57 Chevrolet Bel Air and putting a new 572 big block under the hood... Woof! Blasphemy would be putting a Ford motor under the hood of the 57 Chevrolet. Sorry, got side tracked for a moment.

I had one person to tell me the miyota movement will not fit in the Ecozilla case. As a last resort, I will consider a swiss auto such as ETA or Sellita. My goal would be to use aa Asian movement for an Asian timepiece. I don't want this mod to be overkill, but something that Citizen would say, "We should have done this."

Besides the auto movement, maybe change the dial and hands. I would like to add a sapphite crystal, but I don't think there is one that will fit an Ecozilla. And finally, I am undecided about keeping the bezel original or including it with the mod.

This is where you come in. In all honesty, what do you think? Is this mod doable, or am I just wasting my time? If this is possible, I would love to hear your ideas on how you would mod your Ecozilla. I am serious when I say I want to do this. I think this will be one cool mod, something we all can talk about in the future. Any help from you will be greatly appreciated.

[Original scope]

Anything can be done and you could learn a lot from the project but keep in mind it will be a trial and error process
that could cost more than think.I say go for it!

[4Play]

The mod will depend on whether or not the auto movement can be installed. If it can't then the mod will not happen. One thing I forgot to mention, it doesn't matter if the mod includes the date wheel. The date window on the Ecozilla dial is very small and unusual now. Looking forward to reading everyone's ideas.

[Mark01]

Sure it can be done, how hard will it be is the question. You have to consider stem height first, if it is not the same you will need fabricate a shim or mod the case to compensate. Then the dial feet will probably not be compatible, so you find the correct dial or clip the feet and use dial dots. Then will the hansds fit ? Last but not least you will probably need to fabricate a movement ring. Now the good news since there was at one time an Autozilla the case will probably not require a mod and you could probably scrounge the parts needed.

[carlowus]

Not only it can be done but it has been done by a few people. The ETA 2824 fits in the case and the stem lines up pretty well between movement and case hole. However the caseback needs to have some material removed because the rotor of the ETA would touch it otherwise. You will need also a dial and hands...

The movement will need to be secured to the case too. Search the forum, you will find the posts. I believe Shane1000 and Michael808 did such projects, maybe more.

But since this is a pretty extensive and possibly pricey project, you might want to consider getting a Autozilla...

[4Play]

I knew of the swiss auto mod, but to me it's only fitting to use a myota movement such as 8215. I know there are differences between swiss and myota, but I do not know the particulars.

[carlowus]

Never heard of one done with a Miyota but since the Autozilla seems to be very close in terms of dimensions and overall shape, I am sure it can be done. I thought about it myself in fact and wanted to try to take a whole movement including dial and hands and simply transplant it on a Ecozilla. Did not really find one that was suitable for my taste at that time and always got involved in Seiko mods instead...

It would be nice to know what you come up though or if there is someone who did such project.

[4Play]

Since doing this thread I would've hoped for more participation with some ideas. Still no word from anyone who swapped the quartz for a swiss auto. Still not certain this can be done. I don't want to buy parts for a project that will never happen. I was thinking the dial and hands will have to be replaced, and I'm thinking about doing a non date so the dial could be in better proportion. Would a Seiko dial fit on the Ecozilla, and could the Seiko hands fit as well?

If anyone has any ideas, please post them. So far, the only "for sure" is the Miyota automatic. I'm open to any snd all ideas.

[carlowus]

Seiko and Miyota hands have different sizes so they are not inter-exchangeable. Any dial of the proper size can be fit with some tape or glue. You will have to consider the movement holder too...

[MikeyT]

Miyota is Citizen's movement division, of course. Which movement do they put in the AutoZilla? To my untrained eye, the cases look similar, so whatever it is may​ fit.

Good luck with the mod.